French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as the new Prime Minister, following a period of political deadlock that persisted for nearly two months after France’s snap elections.
Barnier, 73, previously served as the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, handling the UK’s exit negotiations from 2016 to 2019.
A seasoned figure in French politics and a prominent member of the right-wing Republicans (LR) party, Barnier has held numerous high-profile positions both within France and the EU.
His new role will involve forming a government that must navigate a fragmented National Assembly, where no single bloc holds a decisive majority.
Three years ago, Barnier expressed interest in challenging President Macron for the French presidency, with a focus on controlling immigration.
However, he was not selected as a candidate by his party.
Barnier, dubbed “Monsieur Brexit” in France, will become the oldest Prime Minister since the Fifth Republic’s inception in 1958.
He will succeed Gabriel Attal, who was the youngest Prime Minister ever appointed by Macron in early 2024 and has served as caretaker since July.
President Macron’s decision came after a 60-day period of deliberation, during which he conducted interviews with various potential candidates.
The selection was made more complex by the need for a prime minister who could avoid losing a vote of confidence in the National Assembly.
The Elysée Palace described Barnier’s appointment as the result of an extensive consultation process aimed at ensuring government stability and unity.
The choice has sparked controversy, particularly among the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), which won the most seats in the July elections.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the radical France Unbowed (LFI), criticized the appointment, alleging that the election was “stolen” from the French people.
Mélenchon accused Macron of forming a government aligned with the far-right National Rally (RN) and has called for a protest against the decision.
Jordan Bardella, the RN’s young president, took a more measured approach, emphasizing the importance of respecting the 11 million voters who supported his party.
He stated that Barnier’s performance will be judged based on his handling of key issues like the cost of living, security, and immigration, and warned that the RN would reserve the right to take political action if these issues are not addressed in the coming weeks.
